A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Babell, William

BABELL, William, the son of a bassoon-player, was born about 1690, and instructed in the elements of music by his father, and in composition by Dr. Pepusch. He was celebrated for his proficiency on the harpsichord, and was also a good performer on the violin. He was a member of the royal band, and for some years organist of All Hallows, Bread Street. Taking advantage of the rise and popularity of the opera in England, he was the first to arrange the favourite airs as lessons for the harpsichord. In this he was highly successful, and his arrangements of 'Pyrrhus and Demetrius,' 'Hydaspes,' 'Rinaldo,' etc., were standard works of their class at the beginning of the last century. Babell's fame reached even to Germany, where some of his works were printed. He was the author of several 'Suits of the most celebrated Lessons, collected and fitted to the Harpsichord or Spinnet'; 'Twelve Solos for a Violin or Hautboy'; 'Twelve Solos for the German Flute or Hautboy'; 'Six Concertos for small Flutes and Violins,' and other works mentioned in old catalogues. He died at Canonbury Sept. 23, 1723, and was buried in the church of which he had been organist. (Hawkins, Hist.; Private Sources.)

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